An Irma lesson

October 18, 2017

I think the city's response to Irma was first-rate, however, let me offer a lesson learned from other barrier island properties I have an interest in. On other similarly vegetated areas there are ordinances and regulations in place that prohibit encroachment on overhead power lines.

An LCEC supervisor who worked on power restoration pointed out that his crews had to cut through "10 yards of jungle"on Bailey Road before reaching lines toppled by trees and fallen limbs. He said the work would have gone much faster if the lines had been protected from the surrounding growth. Would not some kind of clearing and cutting serve this wonderful community well? This procedure has worked to the benefit of other barrier island residents.